The Founder's Story
Hello! I'm Bryan, founder and owner of Sambal Lah LLC, a Chicago-based small business specializing in gourmet Malaysian sauces. My journey began in July 2023 with the creation of the Original Sambal Hot Sauce, inspired by my deep love for cooking and Malaysian cuisine. By October 2023, Sambal Lah LLC was officially established, driven by my passion for FOOD. NATURE. UNITY.
Born into a mixed family, I was fortunate to grow up immersed in diverse cultures and flavors, living across multiple states in Malaysia. These experiences helped shape my appreciation for food as a unifying force, where every region had its own unique take on sambal—yet it remained a constant in almost every meal.
After settling in Chicago with my wife, I realized I longed for an essential taste from home: SAMBAL. More than just a condiment, sambal is the heart of Malaysian cuisine, the base that ties the most go-to dishes together, and a nostalgic reminder of my childhood and late-night conversations at hawker stalls. Sambal Lah is my way of sharing that connection, bringing the bold, authentic flavors of Malaysia to kitchens everywhere.
What Makes Our Sauce Special / Our signature sauce combines:
- Malaysian signature fresh aromatics for depth of flavor
- Small-batch preparation techniques that preserve authentic flavors
- No artificial preservatives, colors, or flavors
- Vegan and Gluten Free
Each bottle delivers the true taste of Malaysian sambal—a perfect balance of heat, sweet, tangy, and umami flavors that transform any dish from ordinary to extraordinary.
Our Growth Journey
Since launching in October 2023, we've been humbled by the positive response from the Chicago community. What started as a taste of home has resonated with food lovers seeking authentic flavors. We've made appearances at local markets and pop up’s but we're ready to take Sambal Lah to the next level.
What We Need
We're raising $7,000 to expand production and bring Sambal Lah to more homes across America. Your contributions will help fund:
- Production Costs – Bulk ingredient sourcing and packaging, and labeling to increase inventory. $2835 - Labeling $270 (Ultimately to lower per-unit costs.) Total $3105
- Brand & Marketing – Professional photography, prints, content/ targeted ads creation to grow online and retail presence. ( It’s just me and wifey for now also thank you those who take great pictures and shared them! but seeking collaborators, open to ideas ) $1455
- Distribution & Retail Readiness – Certifications, wholesale packaging, and vendor fees to secure shelf space in local and regional stores. $750
- Operational Stability – Covering essential business expenses such as kitchen rentals, licenses, and insurance. $1690
Our Mission: LOVE. UNITY. FLAVOR.
At Sambal Lah, we believe in the power of food to connect people across cultures. Our mission extends beyond creating delicious sauces—we're building bridges between Malaysian tradition and American kitchens, bringing people together through shared culinary experiences.
Join Our Journey
Your support means everything to us. Every contribution helps transform my nostalgic connection to Malaysian flavors into a business that celebrates authentic cuisine and brings joy to dinner tables everywhere. Thank you for being part of the Sambal Lah story!
Organizer
